We want our home to be cool when summer beats down on us. However, if your home is starting to feel like Siberia, you may have a bigger problem on your hands.
How Long Should an AC Unit Run?
When an air conditioning unit runs for hours, it wastes electricity and causes permanent damage to your AC unit, even leading to a replacement. Naturally, on hotter days, your AC unit will run a little longer than usual, but it should not run for an extended period. The average cooling cycle should be between 15 to 20 minutes, and each hour can have two to three cycles. However, if it’s running longer than this, you may have a broken AC.
AC Troubleshooting
Before calling an HVAC specialist, here are a few things you can do to fix your broken AC unit.
Check The Thermostat Settings
Increase the temperature on your thermostat so your cooling cycle will be shorter.
Change The Fan Setting
Only the system fan may be running, not the whole AC unit. Ensure that your thermostat is set to auto so the fan will not run between cooling cycles.
Clear Obstructions
If there are signs of visible blockage on your indoor or outdoor AC unit, ensure it is clear. You can also replace dirty air filters.
Why Is My Ac Unit Not Shutting Off?
There are a few possible reasons for your AC unit running continuously. Most of these faults require expert AC repair. If you suspect any of these problems, it is wise to hire a professional instead of tackling them yourself. Contact Master Tech today for the best AC repair.
Problematic Electrics
It’s no surprise that your AC unit relies on many electrical components. Your relay switch may be stuck in a closed position, causing your AC unit to run continually. An AC professional must open your AC unit to check the electrics.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Your condenser coils are responsible for releasing heat from the refrigerant to the outdoors. If your condenser coils are restricted by dirt, it can be difficult to release this heat, meaning the system won’t be able to cool your home sufficiently.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils are in the indoor units; they’re responsible for pulling heat from your home’s air. No surprise – the leading cause of a frozen evaporator coil is dirt on the coil. This dirt prevents heat energy from coming into contact with the evaporator coils causing moisture to freeze on the surface.
Problematic Thermostat
If your thermostat is damaged, it can disrupt the communication within your HVAC unit. This can often be caused by dust build-up on the sensors, making it difficult for your thermostats to read your home’s temperature. This can cause your cooling cycle to run longer.
AC Tune-Ups
Sadly, most reasons for an AC unit not switching off are due to poor maintenance. Dirt that collects on the components is the leading cause for an AC unit working harder to reach a comfortable temperature. When you keep up with your annual AC tune-ups, you eliminate the possibility of clogged-up components.
USA Plan
Do you need more convincing to schedule regular AC tune-ups? With our USA plan (Universal Savings Agreement Plan), you can receive a 15% discount on repair services and, more importantly, extend the life of your AC unit. Master Tech’s USA plan promises to provide thorough tune-ups and professional cleaning for your HVAC unit.
